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Sir Michael Wilshaw is new chief inspector of schools

The head of one of the most successful schools in England is to be named the new chief inspector of schools and children's services.

Sir Michael Wilshaw is credited with turning Mossbourne Academy, in a deprived part of east London, into one of England's best performing schools.

He has imposed strict discipline and a traditional curriculum.

Former Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert stepped down in June after four years.

Sir Michael, whose name has been linked with the Ofsted post in recent weeks, was knighted for services to education in 2000.

Mossbourne Academy opened in 2004, replacing another school called Hackney Downs, which had been called "the worst school in Britain". It had closed in 1995.

This year, 10 of Mossbourne's pupils had offers from Cambridge University.

Hugging ban

Some 82% of pupils achieve at least five good GCSEs including English and maths - far above the national average of 53%. Its pupils wear smart shirts, ties and blazers and are required to recite a mantra before every lesson.

And the emphasis on good discipline and traditional curriculum fits in well with the vision of Education Secretary Michael Gove, who has long been a visitor to the school - as were Labour education secretaries before him.

But at times Sir Michael's style has been controversial and his methods hit the headlines in 2007 when he banned pupils from hugging each other.

He said, at the time, that it was to ensure accusations of people touching each other inappropriately could not be made.

Sir Michael has told the BBC he is prepared to shake up England's schools and that he will not tolerate any school being given an Ofsted rating of "outstanding " unless it achieves outstanding academic results.

Currently, some schools can be awarded the top rating even if pupils only achieve average results.

Sir Michael also said he wanted to challenge schools to do better because the UK was falling behind comparable nations in international league tables.

He also suggested Ofsted had spent too much time focusing on failing schools.

Ofsted's remit also includes inspecting children's homes and children's services.

Although Sir Michael has a teaching background, he insisted child protection would remain a key issue. He is expected to be officially confirmed in the post on Friday.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said he was delighted with the appointment

"Sir Michael's record and the achievements of Mossbourne Academy show what can be done not just with the right structures, but also with a focus on rigorous standards, quality teaching and discipline."

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